I have stayed out of much of the discussion this week, because frankly after watching Saturday I did not know how I felt about the state of things around Mizzou football. I rewatched the game and of course many are pointing fingers at Lock and I understand why. Here's the deal,though.......our receivers were absolutely blanketed. I am talking zero separation. There is just simply a lack of playmakers on the outside. It is for this reason that I think it is necessary to give Zanders his shot.
I have zero doubt that Kirk Farmer in practice could sling the ball all over the field and make all sorts of throws that Brad Smith simply couldn't make. Unfortunately the talent on the roster at that time made Farmer's arm talent not quite as useful as it ordinarily would have been. Brad's legs could bring an element at the time to open up an offense that was devoid of any real playmakers. Brad had his ceiling as a passer and ultimately I think the program had a ceiling on it for as long as he was under center. With that being said, he was the perfect playmaker to get the program in a position to where a more traditional quarterback could come in and have the talent to thrive. I do not think it is necessarily going out on a limb to say that Chase would not have had anywhere near the career that he eventually had if had to throw to Brad's receivers.
Unfortunately right now I think the program is in a similar place to when Brad took over. I have never really believed that you can win at a high level at a program like Mizzou with a dual threat QB that is more of a runner. The ceiling in that scenario is rather low, but unfortunately the short term program goals have changed. I think going to zone read attack with Crockett and Zanders is what is needed in right now to get us anywhere near bowl eligible. The program needs a jumpstart just like it did in the early 2000s.
This isn't a perfect example because Zanders could turn out to completely blow with more snaps and I am hypothetically comparing him to one of the most accomplished players in school history, but I think the situations are similar. I always thought Kirk Farmer had the talent to be pretty good if he could have stayed healthy and have some talent around him. His skillset just wasn't as useful in that scenario. Drew's skillset might not be as useful until we get some legitimate playmakers in the fold.
I have zero doubt that Kirk Farmer in practice could sling the ball all over the field and make all sorts of throws that Brad Smith simply couldn't make. Unfortunately the talent on the roster at that time made Farmer's arm talent not quite as useful as it ordinarily would have been. Brad's legs could bring an element at the time to open up an offense that was devoid of any real playmakers. Brad had his ceiling as a passer and ultimately I think the program had a ceiling on it for as long as he was under center. With that being said, he was the perfect playmaker to get the program in a position to where a more traditional quarterback could come in and have the talent to thrive. I do not think it is necessarily going out on a limb to say that Chase would not have had anywhere near the career that he eventually had if had to throw to Brad's receivers.
Unfortunately right now I think the program is in a similar place to when Brad took over. I have never really believed that you can win at a high level at a program like Mizzou with a dual threat QB that is more of a runner. The ceiling in that scenario is rather low, but unfortunately the short term program goals have changed. I think going to zone read attack with Crockett and Zanders is what is needed in right now to get us anywhere near bowl eligible. The program needs a jumpstart just like it did in the early 2000s.
This isn't a perfect example because Zanders could turn out to completely blow with more snaps and I am hypothetically comparing him to one of the most accomplished players in school history, but I think the situations are similar. I always thought Kirk Farmer had the talent to be pretty good if he could have stayed healthy and have some talent around him. His skillset just wasn't as useful in that scenario. Drew's skillset might not be as useful until we get some legitimate playmakers in the fold.
